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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 88: Lord Śiva Saved from Vṛkāsura
10.88.2010.88.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.88.21

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.88.21inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

देवं स वव्रे पापीयान् वरं भूतभयावहम् ।

यस्य यस्य करं शीर्ष्णि धास्ये स म्रियतामिति ॥ २१ ॥

devaṁ sa vavre pāpīyān

varaṁ bhūta-bhayāvaham

yasya yasya karaṁ śīrṣṇi

dhāsye sa mriyatām iti

Translation

[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] The benediction sinful Vṛka chose from the lord would terrify all living beings. Vṛka said, “May death come to whomever I touch upon the head with my hand.”

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Harmful Desire Brings Fear

  1. 1

    The sinful Vṛka chose a benediction that would terrify all living beings.

  2. 2

    He asked that anyone whose head he touched with his hand should die.

  3. 3

    His request sought power to bring death to others. The verse emphasizes the fear such a boon would cause.

How it feels

Awe → Reverent fulfillment. The canto closes with theological wonder.

Chapters 87–90 of Canto 10: The Vedas praise and the Lord's glories conclude. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 88: Lord Śiva Saved from Vṛkāsura

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Vṛka said, “May death come to whomever I touch upon the head with my hand.” Lord Śiva was obliged to fulfill this request, and at once the wicked Vṛka tried to test the benediction by putting his hand on the lord’s head.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.88
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. devamfrom the lord
  2. saḥhe
  3. vavrechose
  4. pāpīyānthe sinful demon
  5. varama benediction
  6. bhūtato all living beings
  7. bhayafear
  8. āvahambringing
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.88

    In this verse: “death”, “fear”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.88

    In this verse: “sinful”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do the things I ask for consider the well-being of others?

Practice

Examine one wish you have today and ask whether its fulfillment could harm or frighten anyone.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Harmful Desire Brings FearThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 10.88.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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